Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and U.S. envoy Jared Kushner met with leaders of Hamas in Egypt on Sunday, seeking to salvage a 15-point peace roadmap for Gaza that faces deadlock. The meetings occurred ahead of crucial talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The discussions focused on disarmament, a key sticking point in the peace process. Israel has maintained that it will not withdraw from Gaza until Hamas disarms, while Hamas claims to have agreed to the roadmap, which includes disarmament, and is urging mediators and the U.S.-created Board of Peace to pressure Israel to sign on.
Sir Tony, a member of the Board of Peace's executive board, and Kushner met with Hamas leaders for two hours in Cairo. The group, classified as terrorists by the U.S. and U.K., was urged to relinquish its weaponry. Following this meeting, Blair and Kushner met with Netanyahu for one hour. This engagement marks a departure from Washington's historical policy of not engaging with Hamas.
The 15-point plan, backed by the U.S., calls for Israeli troops to withdraw and for Gaza to be rebuilt under a new civilian Palestinian administration. Israel's rejection of this plan came shortly after the Board of Peace announced an agreement for the “complete disarmament” of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza last month.
Khalil al-Hayya, the new leader of Hamas, has emerged as a significant figure within the militant group, particularly after Israel assassinated other leaders during the Gaza war. Hayya narrowly escaped an Israeli airstrike in Qatar in 2025 that killed his son and aides. His meeting with Kushner on Sunday was his second; they previously met in October 2025 with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, which helped secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages.
Several regional powers, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, issued a statement condemning Israel's rejection of the roadmap, stating that "Israel now bears responsibility for obstructing the efforts to bring peace in Gaza." Jordan, Pakistan, and Indonesia also signed the statement, along with ceasefire mediators. The foreign ministers called on the Board of Peace and the U.S. to take immediate action to prevent any party from hindering the plan's implementation.
The outcome of these negotiations carries significant weight, impacting the lives of approximately two million Palestinians, the reconstruction of Gaza, and its future governance. Sir Tony Blair's past experience negotiating with the IRA, which led to the Good Friday Agreement, is seen as a relevant precedent.